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I didn't know about money-washing:Hartcher

Sophie Tarr

Former NSW energy minister Chris Hartcher says he knew nothing about an alleged scheme in which a Liberal front company was used to "wash" illicit campaign donations for NSW parliamentary hopefuls.

And he does not know how cheques earmarked for the federal party could have ended up in the campaign coffers of NSW Liberal MPs Bart Bassett and Tim Owen, who quit parliament over the furore at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

But Mr Hartcher thinks he can help the NSW corruption watchdog answer one burning question: who is the mystery "big man" alluded to in text messages sent before the 2011 state election? It could be former NSW premier Barry O'Farrell, he says.

It's alleged the fund was used as a workaround to disguise donations from property developers, who are barred from giving to NSW political campaigns but are free to make political donations at the federal level.

But Mr Hartcher said he had never heard of such a ruse before the ICAC investigations.

Nor could he explain an email sent by Mr Owen's campaign manager Hugh Thomson in late 2010, which said: "Confirming today's discussions, the cheque committed to the Newcastle seat has been sent by Chris Hartcher express post to HO".

Mr Watson put it to Mr Hartcher that he was involved in a plan re-routing cheques to Mr Owen and Mr Bassett.

"I was not involved in fundraising. I did not solicit cheques for Mr Bassett or for Mr Tim Owen," Mr Hartcher said.

"I did not see those cheques and I was not aware of those cheques supposedly going through my office and I'm not sure that they ever did go through my office."

He said phone contact with Mr Bassett in late 2010 probably related to organising inspections of illegal brothels.

For his part, Mr Bassett - a former Hawkesbury mayor - was unable to shed any light on how he funded his 2011 run at parliament.

"I can't exactly answer that. Over a number of years people would often say to you that they were going to donate to your campaign and I would always say I remain at arm's length (from contributions)," he said.